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Wenger: ‘I won’t pick my heir’

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 29 Maret 2014 | 22.07

Wenger's contract is up at the end of the season. Picture: AFP Source: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP

Ferguson recommended David Moyes to the United board after retiring last year, but the former Everton manager has endured a disappointing first season at Old Trafford.

Wenger, 64, recently presided over his 1,000th game as Arsenal manager, but he feels that it will not be his responsibility to play a part in the recruitment process when the club go in search of their next head coach.

"I always said, and you can check that, everybody has his job (at the club). My job is to do well for the team, not to do anything else," he said, in comments reported by several British newspapers on Saturday.

Asked if he would choose his own successor, the Frenchman replied: "No."

Wenger's contract is due to expire at the end of the current season, and although he has verbally agreed to remain at the club, he suggested that he could yet change his mind.

"My word is my word," Wenger said.

Pressed as to whether that meant that he would definitely stay at the club next season, he replied: "Yes, unless I decide otherwise. I have told you many times, we have had no time to sit down and do it.

"(I am) not going anywhere, don't worry for that, but I want to have a feeling coming out of the season that I have done the maximum for the club."


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Voss speaks about life after footy

Former AFL coach Michael Voss now has time to watch his son Casey, 13, play football. Picture: Adam Head Source: Adam Head / News Corp Australia

MICHAEL Voss lost his dream job as coach of the Brisbane Lions, but his kids gained a basketball court.

Ten-year-old Gemma Voss recently beamed when her dad told her he would be able to watch her play a tennis match when she had been expecting him to say he could not manage it.

It's amazing what a man can do with a little time on his hands.

And Voss has made lemonade from the sour lemons of his dismissal last August by the Australian Football club for which he played for 15 years and coached for five draining, challenging more years.

Voss, the triple premiership captain of the Lions, has now finished a summer without playing or coaching football.

"I liked the summer off so much, I want to have another one next summer,'' he says.

That was how Voss, 38, decided he will not chase a job in the AFL industry next year.

"We'd probably go on an extensive holiday if that happens,'' Voss says, four days after Brisbane played, and lost, their first match of the season under the coaching of his former clubmate Justin Leppitsch.

"I've really cherished the last four or five months. We had a summer where we went on day trips to the beach and did things I hadn't done with them so much.

Michael Voss with his children at the beach. Picture: News Corp Source: Supplied

"The job just sucks you in. There's no other way to describe it.''

Voss is aiming to keep his AFL knowledge current this year with media commentary for Foxtel and a Melbourne radio station, plus a three-month role in a television reality program shot in Melbourne. He will be the coach of 12 would-be AFL players in a "Big Brother'' house environment for Foxtel, "The Recruit'', with the last man standing to be given an AFL club contract.

"Being able to have some flexibility in your life is pretty bloody important,'' he says.

"We went away for 10 days and I said to my wife, `I just want to enjoy being home'. So I needed mini projects.''

Voss is the sort of home handyman with a track record of gung-ho misadventure, having once sliced his calf badly and also cut his finger to the bone when hitching a trailer to a car.

But he flattened out a grassed area in his backyard and had it concreted so 13-year-old twins Casey and Kayla and his youngest, Gemma, could play backyard basketball a little easier.

"It took him a good three weeks but he really enjoyed it,'' says Voss's wife Donna.

"For the kids to have six weeks off with their dad was great. He was there all day every day … he was never home that long, ever. It's been good for him and good for the kids.''

Michael Voss in the garden. Picture: News Corp Source: Supplied

Voss's eyes appear a little more crinkled around the edges than when he was named the youngest coach in the AFL, at 33, in late 2008.

But as the conversation goes on, it's apparent that is due mostly to the stress of a punishing get-fit session at a gym, another of the holiday projects Voss has attacked with relish.

Michael Voss is one man who has managed to avoid being totally annihilated by the demands of being an AFL head coach, a profession which allows in only 16 per year and can turn self-assured men into quivering wrecks.

Asked if he found he was not defined by his job when he lost it, Voss said: "I'd like to think not. You are pouring so much effort of your own into it it's hard not to. But you can't have that.''

As a player skilful and brave enough to become a Brownlow Medallist and a member of the AFL Hall of Fame, Voss was one of those rare breed of athletes able to bend matches to his will.

For instance, his back-pedalling, muscle-on-bone mark late in Brisbane's second grand final win, against Collingwood in 2002, remains a hackles-raising memory for Lions fans among their recollections of a now distant, golden era.

When he finally retired as a player in 2006, he devoted two years to the television industry before, after knocking back the chance to be head coach of two clubs, agreed to an assistant coach role with the West Coast.

Former Lions coach Michael Voss at boxing training at Coorparoo Boxing Gym. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

But he handed the Perth job back swiftly when his Lions premiership coach Leigh Matthews retired a few days after Brisbane's elimination in 2008.

It was nothing less than a sporting coronation and he took the Lions to the finals for the first time since 2004 in his first year in charge.

Voss effectively bet the farm by recruiting the mischief-prone but gifted Brendan Fevola to the Lions for 2010, necessitating a raft of player movements which annoyed many hardened Brisbane followers.

Fevola's Brisbane misadventures ended in rehab at a New Farm clinic.

He built gambling debts and a list of misdemeanours, including a visit to the police watch-house while the Brisbane media waited outside.

On his way back to Victoria, Fevola was paid out for the rest of his contract, impacting on the club's ability to pay players in the following year. He has not played for an AFL club since.

Voss, the coach, was unable to fight his way back from the consequences of his 2009 decisions, losing a rearguard action over his remaining three seasons, in which the Lions failed to make the finals.

"The first year, the work never stopped, because I'd bounce in — I was loving it — and clocked off late at night, working at the office at home,'' he recalls wistfully.

"When you are trying to improve 48 players and keep a culture sound, it's a big machine which has to operate and there's only so much you can get done.''

In the first two years of his coaching reign, the Voss family came to negotiate a "phone down'' policy on Michael.

Voss takes time out before fronting the media. Picture: Darren England Source: News Limited

"He was coming home and spending his first two hours on the phone,'' Donna says.

So a penalty jar was brought into play. Every time dad-the-coach took a work call at home, he had to put a $5 note in the jar.

"A fair bit was put in there. If it had been $2, it would have been, `throw the coin in and take the phone call','' Voss says, laughing.

"After the first year, it was about finding some way to discipline myself and I needed my kids to keep me accountable. They loved it.''

The first five months of the 2013 season, his fifth as coach, was played against a background of speculation over whether Voss would be offered another contract by a board harassed by a deteriorating financial position due to a levelling off of ticket sales and corporate support.

Lions players, or at least managers of Lions players, made it known outside the club that they were unsure about signing a new contract with Brisbane if Voss remained in charge.

The existing Lions board was, at around the same time, drawn into a dispute with a rival ticket, which resulted at the end of the season in chairman Angus Johnson's departure.

Asked if he was convinced he had kept the loyalty of all in the coaching staff, the football department (correct) and the players during this period, Voss says: "I don't know. The overwhelming feeling I had … was, 'who do I trust?'.

"I'm sitting here (without the Lions job) for a reason. I can't answer the question whether I had the coaches. I can't answer the question, did I have the players. I felt I had the players, but how do you know? I probably never will be able to tell you what scale (of support) it was.

"Clearly I didn't have the board. The board bought into a different idea.''

Voss in action as Brisbane coach. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Donna Voss says she did not see 2013 as her husband's hardest year in the job, probably because he had decided that all he could do was concentrate on what he could control.

"It didn't end well, but 2011 was the most challenging year because they won four games,'' she says.

A victory over competition heavyweights Essendon in May and a miraculous win from a 51-point deficit over Geelong in June gave heft to Voss's contention that his mostly young team was making distinct progress.

It was widely reported a new contract would come his way in the days before a phone call came from then Lions chairman Johnson on August 13.

It was time to clean out his desk. The Lion king had lost his throne.

What was striking, and rare among the ranks of sacked football coaches, was that Voss sat at the press conference to announce his professional termination, alongside Johnson, the man who fired the metaphorical bullet.

"He handled it with a lot of class,'' Donna Voss remembers.

Voss explains: "I just thought it was important the members, who had followed me since I was 16 years of age, knew I loved my club and despite the fact it finished really badly, I love it and I always will.

"It's an integral part of me and that overrode really everything else.

"I wasn't too sure what had happened. I had an idea, but there wasn't a lot I could do. I didn't want to throw bombs.

"So I was saying to the club and the supporters, `I'm OK … I will push on and the end won't define me'. That's what I wanted to communicate.''

Former Lions AFL coach Michael Voss at boxing training for fitness at Coorparoo Boxing Gym. Pics Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

In the months since, Voss has been asked many times how much he was hurting. He was not the first AFL coach to be left in the dark by a dissatisfied board of directors, but he was the first triple premiership coach to be cut adrift in such a fashion.

"The only thing I would have liked was a chat that they were thinking of something else,'' he says.

"Looking back, that's, it's my only disappointment, I guess, that I couldn't get a courtesy chat, that my own club couldn't have (it) with me. There might be a couple of individuals I was disappointed didn't do that.

"Eventually, for me it gets you back to, `Why sit there and wonder who it is and why did it happen? Why would you let something external drive what you feel and think during a day?' I don't let it affect me.''

One immediate way Voss renewed his association with the Lions was to share some thoughts on the club in a phone call with his triple premiership teammate and former assistant coach Leppitsch prior to Leppitsch's interview for the Brisbane head coach job.

A few weeks later, Voss and another ex-Lions teammate Craig McRae were at Leppitsch's house, outside Melbourne, when he fielded a call, letting him he would be the new coach.

Leppitsch and his wife Christie also caught up with Michael and Donna Voss soon after their arrival in Brisbane.

"He rang for a chat. I communicated where I thought the club was at and answered some of his questions,'' Voss says.

"He's the one who had to walk in and get the job and he's developed a strong skill set in his seven years as an assistant coach. I'm proud of him that he rose to the top and got the job.

"Justin is the beneficiary of my demise and that's sport, and he and Christie have been very good friends of mine for a long time. I hope he does a great job."

Towards the end of the conversation, I wanted to ask Voss when he had last spoken to Fevola, who turned out last year as a gun for hire for Victorian country clubs.

Did he try to keep in touch with you, I asked?

"No, not really. I haven't spoken to Fev for quite a while,'' Voss says.

How did he view Fevola's life since?

"I wouldn't know.''

It was the only time during the one-hour interview when I received an insight on what it might have been like to have stood between Michael Voss, the braveheart player, and his game's red football.

Voss might have to decide late this year if he wants to try to build his career back up again as a coaching prospect at a club other than Brisbane, first, probably, as an assistant coach.

"Three years, you probably have to make a decision if you want to get involved again,'' he says.

"I really don't know. It is hard for me to talk about clubland now. I don't see myself there.

"Our eldest are 13 so there is their schooling to consider.''

Michael and Donna Voss say that is a conversation they are yet to have.

"I've been able to put the head on the pillow and not worry about tomorrow. I've loved that,'' he says.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Port the real deal

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AFTER all the off-field point scoring in the lead-up to yesterday's historic first Showdown at Adelaide Oval it was always going to come down to football — and right now Port Adelaide is simply a better side than the Crows.

We're constantly told how form goes out the window when these teams meet but the talent gap between South Australia's two clubs was rammed home yesterday.

Adelaide and Port Adelaide players took part in a tribute to Dean Bailey. Picture Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

The Power have made every post a winner since Ken Hinkley took over, making it into last year's finals series when the Crows couldn't and posting a strong win in round one.

And the momentum shows no signs of stopping after yesterday's 55-point win left them unbeaten this season and in a great position to challenge for the top four in 2014.

In contrast, the Crows' finals hopes look increasingly reliant on the successful return of key forward Taylor Walker from a long-term knee injury.

The first bounce of the first Showdown at the renovated Adelaide Oval. Picture Calum Robertson Source: News Corp Australia

For all the talk about its new look attack this summer the reality is Adelaide's forward line features one genuine star in Eddie Betts and a bunch of B graders.

That's probably a bit harsh on Mitch Grigg — who continues to impress — but the rest just aren't doing enough.

James Podsiadly was poor again, Lewis Johnston fumbled away opportunities and it was easy to forget Shaun McKernan was out there when he wasn't rucking.

Matthew Lobbe has the distinction of kicking the first goal at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Adelaide managed to kick just 11 goals and most of them came from the midfield. The Crows also have some convincing to do about the other line they regularly trotted out over summer — how they're an improved running side.

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After being heavily outscored by Geelong in the final term in round one, the Crows were unable to stay with Port's runners during a one-sided opening term.

Led by the blistering speed of Jared Polec and the enormous appetite for gut running of Brad Ebert and Justin Westhoff, Port put Adelaide to the sword.

The Power built a 28-point lead by outworking their opponents and putting the Crows defence under enormous pressure.

Ollie Wines was at his bullish best and kicked two long goals as a result of Adelaide turnovers. Picture Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

At the other end, Adelaide regularly found itself breaking down inside its forward 50.

It's only goal of the first quarter was an end to end play finished by Johnston but that was the result of slick ball movement rather than fine forward play.

Scott Thompson tried to give the Crows a lift in the third term, but the Power put the clamps on for there on. Picture Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

Power rookie Jarman Impey was entrusted with the job of minding Betts and stood up well against Adelaide's most dangerous forward in the early stages.

But after scoring his opener from a free kick, Betts gained momentum and did his best to drag Adelaide back into the contest with three second quarter goals.

It was all about the fans in the end and Robbie Gray gave them plenty to smile about. Picture Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

Hinkley had warned his players there would be periods in the game where they had to defend for their lives and it came early in the third quarter.

With Rory Sloane, Richard Douglas, Matt Jaensch and Scott Thompson leading the way, the Crows managed to steal the lead by kicking the first four goals of the quarter.

Adelaide showed the form that allowed it to hang with the Cats for three quarters at Simonds Stadium but you always sensed it wouldn't last.

Mitch Grigg and Travis Boak get up close and personal. Picture Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

Hinkley responded by shifting Tom Jonas on to Betts and the versatile defender managed to stop the former Blue from adding to his goal tally.

But it was an unlikely hero who stepped up when Port needed it most. John Butcher would not have ranked too highly on anyone's list of potential Port match-turners but it was the maligned key forward who helped the Power regain control midway through the third.

Butcher calmly slotted a set shot to give Port back the lead before setting up another with an accurate pass from the half forward line.

Aerial photos from the 7 News helicopter of the first AFL game at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval, Pic. Dean Martin Source: News Corp Australia

Chad Wingard — who was quiet for his standards in the first half — joined the party too and the Power's lead was back out to five goals at the final change.

Given Port's fourth quarter record it was always going to be more than enough. Adelaide will find Adelaide Oval more hospitable when it looks to avoid falling in a 0-3 hole against Sydney at home next weekend.

But for now it's Port Adelaide's oval.

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PORT ADELAIDE 19.14 (128)

ADELAIDE 11.7 (73)

BEST

PORT — Hartlett, Ebert, Schulz, Cornes, Wingard, Wines, Monfries.

CROWS — Smith, Sloane, Douglas, Betts, Jaensch.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Reborn Sandow makes winning return

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THE cheeky smile was back, along with his rocks or diamonds trick-shot, the chip-and-chase.

Eight months after his last NRL match, Parramatta halfback Chris Sandow returned to where, on those dark days during counselling and with his family contactable only by phone call, he must have thought impossible.

Everyone loves a comeback story.

And last night at Parramatta Stadium, with the assistance of an inspired second-half from Eels co-captain Jarryd Hayne, Sandow penned a fairytale return with a gutsy western Sydney derby victory over a dangerous Penrith outfit.

Chris Sandow was impressive for the Eels in his NRL comeback. Source: News Corp Australia

Sandow had not played an NRL match since July last year, dropped to park football for NSW Cup side Wentworthville and with his papers seemingly stamped 'never to return'.

But through a renewed focus on training, improved diet and enthusiasm to be part of the Eels top squad, Sandow left coach Brad Arthur no other choice but to give the $550,000 playmaker another shot.

And on Saturday night, repaid his coach.

However, a level-headed Sandow admitted after the win that the key now is turning up next week against the Brisbane Broncos with the same intensity.

"It has been a long time coming,'' Sandow said last night.

"I had to work really hard to get back here.''

"I don't want to say that too early, you know I've got to keep working hard on my game and improve each week whether its in the colours of the Parramatta Eels or back there with Wenty.

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"I'm staying positive, the boys stuck in really deep tonight, it was good.

"But if I get a go again, we've got to do it again next week up there against the Broncos.''

Hayne supplied the polish for the Eels with a sublime pass leading to a try for freight train winger Semi Radrada in the 57th minute, before he scored a far less colourful, but just as important barge over try in the 63rd minute.

But it was Sandow who annoyed the Panthers just enough for them to retreat into falter.

On the back of several crucial individual plays from the livewire No.7, including a kick-chase before Radrada's try and a penalty earned moments before Hayne's four-pointer, the Eels ran away with their second win of the season.

Typically, Arthur wasn't about to shower Sandow in too much praise after the match. But he admitted, the former Dally M rookie of the year, deserved his return to the NRL.

Willie Tonga of the Eels streaks away to score an intercept try. Source: Getty Images

"There were some things that he had to go away and work on, he's been really positive around the place while he was doing that,'' Arthur said.

"He went back to Wenty and his goal-kicking helps and I thought he deserved his opportunity.

"He was solid (tonight). There's still some things that we need to get better.

"As long as he gets better again next week.''

Arthur added that the performances from the Eels money men, Hayne and Sandow, was due to a halftime spray he delivered to the Parramatta forward pack.

"I think some of our middle forwards are underestimated a little bit and I think done a really good job tonight,'' Arthur said.

"I gave them a little bit of a spray at halftime for a couple of things and they came out and responded really well.

Where is it? Corey Norman form the Eels flies high as Penrith players collide going up for the ball. Source: News Corp Australia

The Parramatta crowd celebrate a Semi Radradra try. Source: News Corp Australia

"We had a completion rate at 60 per cent and we talked to them about 'we have a talented player out the back whose not getting the footy' so we need to bring him into the game and told him he needs to go and get his hands on the footy.

"But if we're turning over our sets he's not going to get the footy.''

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary labelled his side's 16-point loss to Parramatta their worst performance of the season — and he is refusing to blame his club's ailing halves situation.

The Panthers have now used three separate halves combinations in the opening month of the season.

Injuries have meant much-hyped new recruits Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace have laced the boots on together just once, while back-up playmaker Isaac John has already been forced to play three matches in the top grade.

"It's not ideal, but that's certainly no excuse," Cleary said.

"We had the same guys as last week. It was just one of those nights where we were just off the pace in a lot of things — execution. We were close to lots of stuff. But close weren't close enough."

Jeremy Latimore crunched in a Parramatta tackle. Source: News Corp Australia

The Panthers were among the biggest recruiters over the off-season, buying more experience than any other club, but they now find themselves with just two victories.

"It's kind of the way it's going in the comp," he said.

"There are very few teams who are able to put performances in each week. That's not unusual for early in the season.

"We've had some good signs, but tonight was a disappointment. It was by far our worst game. So it's important to bounce back."

Fullback Matt Moylan was the one shining light for the Panthers, setting up two of their three tries as he continued to inject himself into the contest.

And while the youngster denied purposely getting more involved to offset the absence of Wallace, there is no doubt that his 100m and two tackle busts made him Penrith's most dangerous player.

Cleary confirmed that Wallace's return wasn't far off, but refused to enter into discussions surrounding former Origin representative Tim Grant's non-selection. He was omitted from the team before kick-off.

PARRAMATTA 32 (J Hayne M Ma'u N Peats S Radradra K Sio W Tonga tries C Sandow 4 goals) PENRITH 16 (L Brown I John D Whare tries M Moylan 2 goals) at Pirtek Stadium. Referees: Shayne Hayne, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 14,448.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Late Cyril winner sinks brave Dons

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 28 Maret 2014 | 22.07

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IF HAWTHORN was wearing a business shirt, it would have one white collar and one blue collar.

Yes, it would be a handsomely-paid executive, but one just as willing to clean the toilets as wheel and deal in the mahogany boardroom.

ANALYSIS: RYDER BLOW HELPS DONS GO FORWARD

Where it matters - inside the fence - this is a side that continues to amaze. It is one that boasts incredible skill and class, but also one that rolls up its sleeves and fights.

Dyson Heppell is tackled by Shaun Burgoyne. Source: News Corp Australia

Never was Hawthorn's grit more pronounced than in a dramatic match they dominated, surrendered and then came up from the grave to win, 13.12 (90) to 12.14 (86).

FOR FULL LIVE HQ COVERAGE CLICK ON THE GAME IN THE SCORE CENTRE ABOVE

A backline of midgets missing Norm Smith Medallist Brian Lake, Ben Stratton and Ryan Schoenmakers. A weakened midfield missing Essendon tormentor Sam Mitchell and hard nut Brad Sewell.

Jobe Watson and Luke Breust race to the footy. Source: News Corp Australia

SWAN DISTRICTS REJECT GARLETT

And then, the loss of skipper Luke Hodge to a groin injury just after half-time when Essendon came with a tidal wave of pressure you felt would have buried any other outfit in the league.

This pulsating encounter was flipped on its head precisely seven minutes and 12 seconds into the third quarter when Hodge shuffled off. At that point the premier lead Essendon by 20 points, having lead by 32 at half-time.

Patrick Ambrose celebrates another goal during his purple patch. Source: News Corp Australia

It was then that a Bombers side completely outplayed for an hour slammed on seven unanswered goals. Essendon kicked 6.3 to the Hawks' 0.4 in the third term - the first time Hawthorn has been kept goalless in a quarter for more than a year.

Coincidence?

It sounds absurd to claim the loss of one player could inflict such a change in fortunes.

Cyril Rioili kicks the winning goal and is mobbed by his mates. Source: News Corp Australia

But when that player is Hodge, perhaps the most influential heart and soul general in the caper, it's difficult to argue.

Up in the radio booths, Hawks great Jason Dunstall said on Triple M: "It's amazing what can happen when you lose a bloke like Luke Hodge.

"All of a sudden you lose your general and no one steps up to fill the void. It's opened the Hawks up."

Dyson Heppell clears as he is tackled by Jordan Lewis. Source: News Corp Australia

Essendon, too, were forced to withdraw a star when Patrick Ryder went down with a knee injury. But this simply encouraged a Bombers outfit who had been obsessed with exposing Hawthorn's supposed defensive frailties with aimless long balls, to go small and narrow the focus inside 50m.

When they didn't have the ball, they swarmed with an intent that rendered the Hawks into patches of panic. How often have we seen that?

Essendon's score map. Champion Data. Source: Supplied

Hawthorn's score map. Champion Data. Source: Supplied

The result was a seismic shift in this contest. Paul Chapman's clutch snap goal with little more than two minutes left not only put Essendon up by nine points, it was greeted with such a guttural roar you were convinced it was Hawthorn's back breaker.

But good sides, premiership sides, just don't roll over. Luke Breust snapped his own goal to cut the deficit to three points before Isaac Smith doggedly forced the ball forward from a boundary throw-in where returnee Cyril Rioli swooped to kick the sealer.

Cyril Rioili deserves another photo. Look at him celebrate that match-winner. Brilliant! Source: News Corp Australia

It wasn't silky, it wasn't pretty. It was just sheer hard work built around sacrifice and efforts. Shaun Burgoyne is made for games like these, Josh Gibson was yet again immense down back on Joe Daniher and his unheralded sidekick Kyle Cheney made a mess of Jake Carlisle despite conceding 11cm and 8kg.

Essendon will take enormous positives and so it should for its ability to wrestle the contest back in its favour against a quality side.

The thing is, Hawthorn will get better.

EDMUND'S VOTES

3 Shaun Burgoyne

2 Josh Gibson

1 Jobe Watson

BEST

Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Gibson, Hill, Rioli, Suckling Cheney, Smith

Essendon: Watson, Hooker, Hibberd, Goddard, Zaharakis, Hocking, Chapman, Ambrose

ROUND 2 TEAMS

Essendon v Hawthorn, Etihad Stadium Friday 7.50pm

ESSENDON

B: M. Baguley, C. Hooker, D. Fletcher

HB: M. Hibberd, M. Hurley, B. Goddard

C: D. Zaharakis, J. Watson, D. Heppell

HF: P. Chapman, J. Carlisle, P. Ambrose

F: B. Stanton, J. Daniher, K. Hardingham

Foll: P. Ryder, H. Hocking, B. Howlett

I/C: J. Merrett, D. Myers, M. Gleeson, Z. Merrett

Emg: T. Colyer, E. Kavanagh, J. Ashby Ins Outs

No change

HAWTHORN

B: L. Hodge, J. Gibson, S. Burgoyne

HB: M. Suckling, K. Cheney, G. Birchall

C: L. Shiels, S. Mitchell, B. Hill

HF: L. Breust, J. Roughead, I. Smith

F: J. Gunston, D. Hale, C. Rioli

Foll: B. McEvoy, W. Langford, J. Lewis

I/C: T.O'Brien, P. Puopolo, J. Simpkin, T. Duryea

Emg: D. Wanganeen, A. Litherland, M. Spangher

In: C. Rioli

Out: D. Wanganeen


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lockyer: Carty’s running out of chances

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THE Titans have reached the crossroads as a football club.

One week they can be woeful, as they showed against the Wests Tigers. The next they can be brave and win games on character, as evidenced in their impressive road triumph in Canberra last week.

But the time has come for the Gold Coast to find the consistency that defines top-four and premiership-winning teams. And the clock is ticking, because if they miss the finals this year for a fourth consecutive season, the reality is John Cartwright, their foundation coach, will be in the firing line.

The Titans' derby clash with North Queensland on Monday night will tell us a bit about the ethos of both clubs.

A loss will not be cause for hitting panic buttons. After all, titles aren't won in March. But games like these can fortify a squad's constitution, shape a team's season, and provide a barometer of whether a club is heading in the right direction under a particular coach.

Greg Bird runs the ball in a clash against the Raiders. Source: Getty Images

I don't envy the position in which Cartwright finds himself. He took the Titans to a grand final qualifier in 2010, so clearly he has structures and systems that have proven successful. But it has been a hard road since. A wooden spoon. Three consecutive finals bomb-outs. This is not the standard a competitor like Cartwright would want to set. And while I don't know John in a coaching sense, I know he is pragmatic enough to accept that if the Coast go four years without making the finals, there will be push for change.

Given the Titans' recent struggles, it will only take back-to-back losses for the blowtorch to be on Cartwright again. That's a real juggling act for a coach, who in turn faces the challenge of coping with personal pressures.

But it would be harsh to finger Cartwright as the singular problem. The playing group must take ownership of the squad's erratic displays and understand the implications of repeatedly missing the finals. If you continually fail to appear in the playoffs, you run the risk of mediocrity infiltrating the club culture.

Winning can be cyclical, but it is also cultural.

At present, in the real clutch moments, I'm not sure if Titans players, as a group, have the confidence to truly believe they can close out a game.

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That's why beating the Sharks away in round one was a promising sign. And why beating the Cowboys in front of their home fans would be a huge shot of confidence for the younger players in their squad.

For the Titans to build self-belief and confidence, a lot hinges on their "spine". We have seen the brilliance of Albert Kelly but the key for him is to do it on a weekly basis. At five-eighth, Aidan Sezer impresses me but he's still learning the craft, and that education process is steeper for Aidan because his halfback partner, Kelly, is also young.

I think the subtle rule changes benefit Beau Falloon at hooker, but the trio have all had their share of injuries.

Without continuity in their spine, it's no surprise the Coast have suffered form fluctuations. Much is made of the Titans' forward pack and rightly so, because you won't find more competitive men than Nate Myles, Luke Bailey, Greg Bird and Ashley Harrison. The old adage is your backs can only work off a forward platform, but playmakers can also dictate the effectiveness of their pack.

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Myles and Bailey are guys who can hold their nerve, but they can't take control of games. Playmakers do that, and that's where the Titans' question mark rests.

Cartwright's X-factor could well be his new assistant Neil Henry, who faces his former club this week. I worked alongside Neil in Queensland's State of Origin set-up and his football brain is as sharp as I've seen. The Maroons thrived on the Mal Meninga-Henry alliance. The players spilled blood for Mal, and they improved through Neil's tactical edge.

Hopefully "King" Henry can do the same for the Titans — and John Cartwright.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thompson finds positives after loss

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ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson found positives from the agonising four-point loss to Hawthorn.

Thompson preferred to focus on the stunning third quarter burst that grabbed the lead and momentum from the stunned reigning premier.

"Losing games is not fun at all, but that was a decent loss tonight, if you can say that. Can't believe I'm saying it,'' Thompson said.

Bombers coach Mark Thompson walks off after their defeat. Source: Getty Images

"I was really concerned at half time and I said them in my strongest possible words that I could actually speak because my voice was gone, that I just wanted them to play the way we've been training, to do the things that we expect to do. And they did them brilliantly in that third quarter. That was the highlight of the night for me.

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"Next time we get in that situation, we expect to win. That's how much of a hurry I'm in.''

Thompson said he didn't think the game was safe after Paul Chapman goalled to stretch the lead to nine points 24 minutes into the last quarter.

"I was optimistic that we had a chance to win, but I knew we had to do a fair bit of work,'' he said.

"What did they kick a goal in 20 seconds, five seconds, how quick was that goal? No, it's not the way we really wanted to play in the end, but there were a lot of positives out of that match. Pretty happy.''

Josh Gibson tackled by Zach Merrett and David Zaharakis. Source: News Corp Australia

The Bombers coach said he had instructed his forwards at half-time to present on the lead rather than wait for the high balls, a request accentuated after ruckman Paddy Ryder limped off with an ankle injury early in the third quarter.

"It actually brought (Jake) Carlisle into the game and Joey (Daniher) into the game moving around the midfield,'' Thompson said.

"We're going to miss him (Ryder), he's probably in doubt next week. So, I'm not sure what we're going to do in the ruck.''

On exploiting a Hawthorn defence missing Brian Lake, Ben Stratton and Ryan Schoenmakers and then losing captain Luke Hodge shortly after Ryder's mishap, Thompson said: "I've been involved in games like this for a long time where you get a few key defenders out and you naturally think you get an advantage. And it has never worked out that way.

"If my memory serves me well we've never got an advantage from that because teams just kick the ball on their heads and the big forwards didn't lead. The big forwards just thought the height would do it and it doesn't.

Jackson Merrett celebrates his last-quarter goal. Source: News Corp Australia

"When Paddy went down, they actually got the thing moving better. The Geelong Grand Final against Collingwood in 2011, it's when they started to kick the ball to players on the lead that they were able to kick goals. That's the way I want to play.

"Everybody knows how to play, but for some reason when they get under pressure and there's a crowd here against a good team that's really predictable in their behaviour, then something breaks down in their minds, especially when they're young.

Liam Shiels marks in front of Michael Hibberd. Source: News Corp Australia

"So you have to build up the resilience to it, this confidence, this knowledge that I've actually done this before and I'm going to pull this off. When forwards don't lead, when forwards don't chase, when forwards aren't in their defensive structures, you're in trouble. And they all went out together tonight in that second quarter. They were all back into play in that third quarter.

"At three-quarter time when I walked in (to the huddle) I could actually feel that our players said yes, this is fantastic. That they had just nailed the third quarter against Hawthorn when they were five goals down.

"That's what we want to do. Whatever happens on the day we want to handle it and get it back to the way we want to play.''


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Woodward stars as Rebels stun Brumbies

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AN astonishing second-half charge and a record contribution by Jason Woodward piloted the Melbourne Rebels to a stunning upset of Super Rugby powerhouse ACT at AAMI Park.

Trailing 10-3 at half-time, Melbourne overwhelmed last season's finalist 32-24 in an unforgettable triumph against adversity.

Denied several first-choice players because of injury, the Rebels shocked the Australian conference leader with a mix of bruising physicality, unrelenting defence and attacking flair.

Fullback Woodward scored a try and drilled six penalties and two conversions to contribute 27 points, eclipsing Wallaby James O'Connor's previous club record of 24.

Centre Mitch Inman scored the home side's second try as Melbourne soaked up a late charge from the Brumbies to trigger jubilant scenes.

Match centre: Scores, stats, video highlights

Ending a three-match losing streak, the Rebels breathed vital life back into a stuttering season after losses to Western Force, Crusaders and the Waratahs.

"We knew we had to be really physical, that's the way we trained — and it paid off," Melbourne captain Scott Higginbotham said.

Rebels fullback Jason Woodward gets in the clear to score a try. Source: News Corp Australia

"We knew it would be a tough challenge and it's fantastic the way our guys played."

The Rebels' inconsistency cost Tony McGahan's team over the past three weeks and it looked like another case of dreaded deja vu when Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg scored a try after only three minutes.

But from that uncertain start, the Rebels began a slow build that reached a screaming crescendo by full-time.

"You've got to give the Rebels credit for the second half," Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said.

"They really stuck to their guns."

Melbourne owned the second stanza, outscoring the Brumbies 29-14.

Turnovers haunted the Rebels in first 40 minutes — but those troubled moments gradually vanished as Woodward, Inman, Tom English, Tamati Ellison, Bryce Hegarty, Nic Stirzaker, Male Sa'u and Luke Burgess threatened behind a heroic pack.

The forwards were tremendous — again — and no one worked harder than Luke Jones.

Having conceded a free kick from their own scrum feed, the Rebels were bullied into hasty retreat before Matt Toomua changed direction to put Jesse Mogg after only three minutes.

The Brumbies repeatedly attempted to pummel Melbourne with expert set piece manoeuvres as the Rebels' defensive intensity tried referee Jaco Peyper's patience.

Melbourne's hard-earned possession was often shed in anxiety as it faced a polished Brumbies' outfit.

The Rebels' two best attacking chances in the first half were lost with turnovers when they were deep in opposition territory.

And they were foiled in unfortunate circumstances for a third time when Bryce Hegarty kicked into touch after the half-time siren when the young flyhalf was unaware time was up and expected a lineout to follow.

Brumbies forward Scott Fardy tries to drag down Cruze Ah-Nau. Source: News Corp Australia

Peyper instead pointed to the changerooms, signifying half-time — and drawing the jeers of increasingly frustrated Melbourne supporters.

Melbourne coach Tony McGahan had words with Peyper at the break, further illustrating Rebel frustration.

Encouragingly, Melbourne's intensity meant the underdogs won the closing 10 minutes of the second half as Jones, Hugh Pyle, Scott Higginbotham and Scott Fuglistaller launched a string of searching runs.

It was a prelude of what was to follow despite the Brumbies edging to an 11-point lead before Woodward struck with penalties to pull Melbourne within five points — with 25 minutes remaining.

Sensing the Brumbies were fading, Melbourne drew level when the mercurial Woodward evaded four defenders to touch down.

Rebels centre Mitch Inman gets past a Jesse Mogg tackle to score a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Luke Burgess, substituting for impressive Nic Stirzaker, and Mitch Inman suddenly had the Brumbies on the back foot as Tom English charged over the line — but only after the ball had been knocked from his grasp by Mogg.

The Brumbies, always so disciplined and composed, continued to unravel when Scott Fardy was sin-binned for a ruck infringement as Melbourne continued to pour on the pressure.

Inman's try gave Melbourne valuable breathing space before a last-gasp effort from Robbie Coleman gave the Brumbies one last shot, which was professionally snuffed out by dogged Melbourne defence.

Woodward added a late penalty — his sixth — to seal victory for the Rebels.

MELBOURNE REBELS 32 (Mitch Inman, Jason Woodward tries Woodward 2 cons 6 pens) bt BRUMBIES 24 (1 penalty try) (Robbie Coleman, Jesse Mogg tries Nic White 2, Matt Toomua cons White pen) at AAMI Park. Referee: Jaco Peyper. Crowd: 10,726.

Relive all the action in our match blog below.


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Maxy’s not crazy about split round

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 27 Maret 2014 | 22.07

Magpies veteran Nick Maxwell is not a fan of split rounds. Picture: Getty Source: Robert Prezioso / Getty Images

MAGPIES premiership captain Nick Maxwell is not a fan of a split AFL opening round, believing the long delays between games lead to "crazy'' criticism of teams and individuals.

Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond have all been heavily analysed and panned for the past fortnight after suffering disappointing losses on the opening weekend of the split round.

"In an ideal world I think everyone, AFL included, would like to start it on the same (weekend) but due to circumstance with the way everything is at the moment with all of the grounds, we just have to split it,'' Maxwell said on the eve of his 200th match. "Because up north (the NRL) are getting a jump on us with the league and we've just got to make sure that we're on TV and in front of people.''

Maxwell with his children Milla, 3, and Archie, 16 months, ahead of his 200th game. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Maxwell said the fact that there a huge number of television and radio shows, some of them needing to fill airtime on a daily basis, meant there was some extravagant and kneejerk criticism.

"All Round 1 was just crazy with a lot of the commentary coming out of it,'' Maxwell said. "So much of it was way over the top, not just for individuals but for teams as well. Now that there's games every week and there's more to talk about they'll take a breath and they'll actually take a few notes before they start mouthing off.''

Maxwell said it "felt like a lifetime'' since the Pies opened the season with a wretched 70-point loss to Fremantle "and look it's probably felt the same for Sydney as well''.

He agreed with coach Nathan Buckley's assessment that the players had "a churning in the guts'' about their performance against the Dockers and were determined to bounce back against the Swans.

Maxwell stretches during the Magpies training session. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

The Magpies are expected to make two changes at selection, with former Sydney forward Jesse White coming into the team.

Maxwell suggested Nathan Brown or Jack Frost would be given the key match-up on Lance Franklin, but the key to nullifying his influence would be to "to make sure we match them in the contested possessions and the clearances'' in the midfield.

He said Franklin did "not need a lot of possessions to tear you apart'', but warned that a fully fit Sam Reid, who was hobbled by injury last season, was also an extremely dangerous prospect.


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How should the NRL punish McLean?

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SHOULD the severity of Alex McKinnon's injury influence Jordan McLean's punishment?

This is the extremely difficult decision facing the NRL ahead of next Wednesday's judiciary hearing that will determine responsibility for a tackle that led to a "terrible, terrible accident".

That is how leading Sydney neurosurgeon Dr Richard Parkinson described the tackle that left a promising young footballer in a medically induced coma following an operation to repair two fractures to his neck.

In Thursday's Daily Telegraph, Dr Parkinson said he could not blame Melbourne defenders McLean, Jesse Bromwich and Kenny Bromwich, for the incident.

"It appears that rather than the tackle, it's the weight of two players coming down on Alex which has caused the injury," Dr Parkinson said.

So how come only McLean has a case to answer?

Newcastle's Alex McKinnon suffered a broken neck as a result of this tackle. Source: FoxSports

After initially being stood down indefinitely before his judiciary hearing, McLean was yesterday granted leave to take his place in the Melbourne team to take on the Bulldogs in Perth on Saturday.

But his future beyond this remains unclear.

The NRL were only trying to do the right thing by everyone concerned when they stood McLean down this week, but it was a mistake to do so before the hearing.

And before we even start to debate what McLean's final penalty should be, let's go back to before this season kicked off, when the judiciary secretary Mark O'Neill visited Newcastle to talk to their players about the match review process, and judiciary system.

You'll remember there was a lot of debate towards the end of last year surrounding Kade Snowden's seven-match suspension.

Knights players were rightly questioning how the NRL could possibly rub out one player for seven weeks for a shoulder charge _ and yet let other players walk free for similar, sometimes seemingly worse, offences.

Alex McKinnon receives treatment on the field. Source: Getty Images

But as O'Neill explained to the Knights, the judiciary's code of conduct actually stipulates that the severity of an injury is taken into account when establishing the grading of a charge.

So they are affectively saying, we will punish the outcome, not the act.

The fact North Queensland's Ray Thompson suffered a broken jaw in that tackle was significant in Snowden's sentence.

Which brings us back to McLean, and the awful predicament this young Melbourne prop finds himself in as he waits to front the judiciary in the wake of a tackle that has almost certainly ended McKinnon's career.

Again, should McLean's punishment be influenced by the severity of McKinnon's injury, as was the case with Snowden last year?

This is how the NRL has previously stated their process works.

Almost everyone who saw the tackle agrees that it was a terrible accident with no degree of malice.

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And while no one in rugby league wants to see the blame of McKinnon's injury pinned on McLean, the judiciary panel might have no alternative.

Not if they are going to stand by their own standards.

Unless the NRL admits that the match review system and judiciary process is inconsistent, and in urgent need of an overhaul, the panel presiding over this case will have no option but to come down hard on McLean.

People are asking why McLean's case was put on hold this week, and questioning if this declares McLean guilty before his trial?

In fairness to the NRL, it was done out of respect to McKinnon and his family, and everyone who was involved in, or affected, by what occurred in Monday night's game.

The NRL is obviously keen to make sure this case is as open and transparent as possible given the scrutiny it is sure to receive _ and they will want to hear from all sides before a final punishment is determined.

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But what is a fair and reasonable outcome will divide many because no matter how hard we all look for answers it is impossible to make sense of what has happened.

And the more and more you look back over that tackle, the more you struggle to blame McLean.

As Melbourne captain Cameron Smith argued on the field at the time, the way McKinnon fell, ducking his head into his chest prior to hitting the ground, probably made the impact worse.

McKinnon could not possibly be blamed for his actions.

As for McLean, he would have went in to slow the play-the-ball down for sure and certain _ but not to cause serious injury to his opponent.

As Dr Parkinson said, it was a "terrible, terrible accident".

And McLean should not be judged on the injury that resulted, but his actions on the field.

As Snowden should not have been last year.


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Win an autumn share in Boban

Glyn Schofield celebrates last spring's Group 1 Epsom win with connections at Royal Randwick. Picture: Mark Evans Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

YOU would like to walk in Matt Dominello's shoes.

Dominello's a successful businessman with diverse interests, operating a couple of gymnasiums, owns magazines, has a consultancy firm — and he's a shareholder in emerging superstar Boban.

"I keep myself busy but during spring and autumn my focus is on horse racing,'' Dominello said.

And with good reason as Boban chases his fourth Group 1 win in the $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

This is likely to be Boban's final lead-up run before the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) during The Championships at Royal Randwick on April 19 where the Chris Waller-trained gelding is challenging for favouritism.

As part of an innovative Tabcorp promotion, there's an opportunity to join Dominello and the horse's other part-owners on a ride of a lifetime this autumn carnival.

Glyn Schofield greets happy owners after Boban's Chipping Norton Stakes win. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: News Corp Australia

One lucky TAB customer will enter the realm of champions by winning a five per cent share in Boban for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

In what is described as the ultimate "money can't buy'' experience for most racing fans, the lucky winner will enjoy an access all areas pass and become one of the ownership group for the day.

Best of all, this opportunity is open to everyone whether you are a punter or not. Go to www.jointeamboban.com.au from Monday (March 31) to register for your chance to win this once in a lifetime prize.

"We are delighted to be giving someone the chance for an experience that they haven't had before or are likely to have again," TAB's general manager marketing and communications, Glenn Lee said.

The lucky winner will be taken into the inner sanctum of the Boban ownership group and become one of them.

Trainer Chris Waller is mobbed by owners after Boban's Group 1 Emirates Stakes victory at Flemington. Picture: Jay Town Source: News Limited

Waller said Boban's preparation for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes is back on track after the gelding bounced back from two unplaced runs to win the Chipping Norton Stakes last start.

"It was hard to tell if he was where we wanted him to be after his first two runs back, however, he proved he was spot on with his victory in the Chipping Norton," Waller said. "Hopefully he will be going into the Queen Elizabeth with another win next to his name."

Boban is raced in partnership by a syndicate of friends including Mark Pejic and John O'Neill of Mummify fame.

Dominello guarantees the winner of the TAB Boban promotion will have a memorable experience at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes next month.

"The group of people who race Boban are a lot of fun,'' Dominello said.

"It is great owning a horse with such a good group of people, we feed off each other and it adds to the excitement on a raceday.

"We will invade Rosehill (tomorrow) — everyone will know we are there.''


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Scott backs Roos to bounce back

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NORTH Melbourne will take no risks with Todd Goldstein, holding Daniel Currie back from his VFL duties as insurance.

Goldstein was hampered by a shoulder injury during last week's "bitterly disappointing" Round 1 loss to Essendon.

But scans revealed no structural damage.

Goldstein will be given until Sunday to prove his fitness, with Currie to sit out of VFL action as insurance.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said Goldstein would need to be "perfect" to play.

"He'll do some work out on the track today, I'll watch him closely," Scott said.

"Goldy is a survivor, even when he's struggling he still battles through, battling through is not going to be good enough this week so unless he's perfect he won't play."

Scott also tempered suggestions of wholesale changes after the 39-point loss Essendon.

"I suspect we'll give the majority of our midfield group in particular the chance to atone," he said.

"The way we looked at the weekend was bitterly disappointing in the contest, I think that's uncharacteristic of the group we've put together over the last 3-4-5 years.

"We'll give them another opportunity to go out there and get the job done but we'll be holding everyone accountable from this week onwards, that's for sure."

Scott said injured forwards Robbie Tarrant (leg) and Majak Daw (knee) needed continuity of training to be considered for selection.


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Ange urges ‘Roos to create a legacy

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 26 Maret 2014 | 22.07

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ANGE Postecoglou has called on the Socceroos to "create their own legacy" and win the Asian Cup next January on home soil, after seeing his team drawn against Kuwait, Oman and regional heavyweights South Korea.

Insistent that his team should embrace the expectation that they will be among the tournament favourites, Postecoglou said a "challenging group" could be countered by the support of partisan home crowds.

The Socceroos will open their campaign against Kuwait in Melbourne on January 9, before moving to Sydney to meet Oman at ANZ Stadium on January 13.

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Postecoglou's side then faces the toughest test of the group when they host South Korea at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on January 17.

Winning the group becomes essential to avoid meeting holders Japan until the final - assuming Australia do come top they will face the runners-up from Group B, including Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, China and North Korea.

AFC General Secretary Dato' Alex Soosay holds up the name Australia during the draw. Source: AP

Coming second in their group would mean them facing the winner of Group B, but Postecoglou said his eyes were locked on the ultimate prize - embracing the favouritism that being host involves.

"It may be added pressure but it's my expectation and I'm sure it's the players expectations," Postecoglou said. " How often do we get to play in a major tournament in our own country? We have to make the most of it and try to create our own legacy by winning it.

Get to know our Asian Cup opponents

'It's tough, Australia is favourite'

Roos get Korea in tough Asian Cup draw

Ange's attention back on Brazil after draw

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"You look at the footage of past Asian Cups and our history's not that deep in this region. We want to create our own special moments and see us up there with silverware at some point.

"The way you do that with these tournaments is competing as hard as you can and creating these rivalries and feeling part of it. This will be our third go at it, we just missed out last time and as this tournament grows I want us to take our rightful place in it."

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The group pits Australia against two coaches who have caused Australia angst in recent years. Jorvan Vieira, now in charge of Kuwait, was coach of the Iraq side that beat the Socceroos on the way to winning the 2007 Asian Cup, while Paul Le Guen has beaten Australia once and drawn twice in four matches since taking over as coach of Oman in 2011.

"It's a challenging group - obviously the standout is Korea, but Jorvan Vieira is a very experienced manager, and Oman gave us a tough time here on home soil last year," Postecoglou said.

"In this group the first game against Kuwait becomes critical in order to get off to a good start. We have some advantages - we're playing in our own country, and a packed AAMI Park in that first game should help us."

Retired Socceroo Brett Emerton raises the trophy before the Asian Cup draw. Source: AP

The draw took place at the Sydney Opera House, with Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, China and North Korea placed into Group C while defending Asian Cup champions Japan are in Group D with Jordan, Iraq and the winner of this year's AFC Challenge Cup, being held in May in the Maldives.

The 2015 Asian Cup will be held in five Australian cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle and Canberra – from January 9 to 31. It will be Australia's third attempt at winning it after losing to Japan in both 2007 - at the quarterfinal stage - and in the final in 2011.


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Ex-BCCI boss: IPL should be scrapped

Shashank Manohar: "In view of the serious allegations, regarding betting, spot-fixing and match-fixing, the public at large has lost its faith in IPL games." Source: PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP

THE former boss of Indian cricket believes matchfixing allegations surrounding the Indian Premier League are so serious that the billion-dollar tournament must be scrapped this year.

Shashank Manohar, the former BCCI president, has called for the IPL to be suspended "until the faith of the people in the integrity of the game is restored".

Already, world cricket's most powerful man N Srinivasan has asked by the Indian Supreme Court to step aside to ensure a fair hearing into IPL corruption allegations.

Indian board president Srinivasan has been caught up in the betting and corruption scandal due his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, who was a team official of Chennai Super Kings.

The BCCI has been pleading with the court not to release a sealed report which allegedly contains serious information about fixing at the IPL and potentially other cricket events.

A committee, headed by former Punjab Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal, has named in its report six prominent "Indian capped" players, including one who is allegedly part of the current team.

Manohar, who was succeeded as president by Srinivasan — has called for all IPL matches to be investigated and the competition suspended this year.

"The Supreme Courts observation is that there are very, very serious allegations made in the report and unless the BCCI president steps down, no fair probe can be conducted," Manohar said in a statement.

"I had said long back, when the scandal broke, that all IPL matches should be investigated.

"In view of the serious allegations, regarding betting, spot-fixing and match-fixing, the public at large has lost its faith in IPL games.

"Considering the latest developments in the BCCI, it is my considered opinion that until the faith of the people in the integrity of the game is restored, the IPL tournament for the year 2014 should be suspended."


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Home of golf may open to women

Lorena Ochoa tees off from the 18th at St Andrews during the Women's British Open in 2007. Source: MATT DUNHAM / AP

THE Royal & Ancient Golf Club is asking its members to vote in favour of allowing women to join for the first time.

A statement from the R&A on Wednesday said the club will vote in September on a motion to admit female members. The club's committees are in favour of the rule changes and are asking the 2400 members to support it.

Pressure has been building on the R&A to changes its male-only policy, especially after Augusta National Golf Club last year invited two women to join at the home of the Masters. The British Open last year was held at Muirfield, which also has a male-only membership policy.

If the vote is favourable, women would be allowed to join the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

The R&A governs golf everywhere in the world except for the United States and Mexico. It also organises the British Open and other championships. However, it shifted responsibility for the Open and administering the Rules of Golf to separate entity in 2004 known as The R&A.


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Roma to build modern Colosseum

An artist's rendering of the new stadium to be build on the outskirts of Rome. Source: AP

THREE-TIME Serie A champions Roma plan to build a new privately financed stadium inspired by the Colosseum on the outskirts of the Italian capital.

Labelled "Stadio della Roma" for now — until naming rights are awarded — the facility will seat 52,500 spectators and be able to expand to 60,000 for major matches.

Building costs for the stadium itself are estimated at 300 million euros ($450 million) but the overall price, including surrounding infrastructure and transport, will run far higher.

The new stadium will be in the Tor di Valle area in the city's southwest, about halfway between downtown and Fiumicino airport.

Slated to open for the 2016-17 season, the stadium has been a big goal since Roma was purchased by a four-man group of Boston executives, who in 2011 became the first foreign majority owners of a Serie A club.

For years, Roma has shared the Stadio Olimpico with city rival Lazio but that stadium features a running track and poor sightlines for football.

"The Stadio Olimpico has been a great place for us to play but it has clearly had its time," Roma president James Pallotta said on Wednesday. "(The new stadium) is clearly going to give us a competitive advantage."

Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino sat next to Pallotta at the City Hall presentation and supported the project, although he warned the stadium would not open until the necessary surrounding infrastructure was in place.

"Hopefully we will have an expedited process and a two-year construction plan," Pallotta said. "I want to see Francesco (Totti, Roma's 37-year-old captain) be the first person to run out on that pitch."

Journalists take pictures of a model presenting Roma's new stadium project. Source: AFP

The stadium is being designed by American architect Dan Meis, who has drawn up the plans for numerous stadiums and arenas in the United States, plus the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

"It's impossible designing a building here without considering the architectural history in Rome," Meis said. "The stadium will have an outer wall that will be a new vision of the Colosseum."

It will be purpose-built for football, the fans seated as close as possible to the pitch and a three-tiered seating design with a sharp inclined.

Keeping fans in mind, there will be a 14,000-seat detached section behind one of the goals for the hard-core "ultra" supporters, replacing the Curva Sud from the Stadio Olimpico.

There will also be luxury boxes, plus commercial areas and training grounds outside the stadium.

Financing will come from naming rights, sponsors and priority seating proceeds, while bank loans and equity will finance construction.

If the project becomes reality, Roma will become only the second major Italian club to own its own stadium. Juventus, which is closing in on its third successive title, opened Juventus Stadium in 2011.

"It will be our new home and what I like about this home is the garden in the centre, on which we'll need to continue adding pages to Roma's history," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said, a day after the Giallorossi beat Torino 2-1 to stay second and keep its faint title hopes alive.


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Kent: A Knight who’s full of chivalry

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 25 Maret 2014 | 22.07

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WHAT sort of young man is Alex McKinnon?

We don't know a lot about him. We know he turned 22 last month, that he injured his foot last year which caused him to miss a handful of games midway through the season right after things started going well — following his representative debut for Country.

We know that the quietness in the Knights dressing room after Monday's game, in which McKinnon fractured his C4 and C5 vertebrae, went beyond defeat.

Everybody sat there, heads down, locked in silence.

Alex McKinnon falls awkwardly in clash against the Storm. Scans reveal he has fractured his vertebrae. Source: FoxSports

McKinnon is still in hospital this morning, and will be for some time. Doctors cannot determine the extent of damage to his spinal cord until the swelling around his neck goes down in the next few days, possibly weeks.

In Newcastle yesterday the Knights were under instructions not to talk about McKinnon. They will be again today and tomorrow. Nobody wants to risk mistaken information, and possibly harmful information, being leaked when the matter is so serious.

So what sort of young man is Alex McKinnon?

Like many young footballers he has a Twitter account but, unlike many young footballers, he fails to comment about the inane activities — "brekky with the boys this morning. ham and eggs #cholesterol #skinfolds" — of daily life.

He posted his last Tweet a month ago, a retweet from actor and former wrestler Dwayne Johnson, better known as The Rock: "Realized over the years that success doesn't change a person ... it only magnifies who've (sic) they've been their entire life."

With that small glimpse, we see McKinnon is unlike most footballers, a man willing to entertain a world where football ends.

This morning you hope he realises that if success doesn't change a person, neither does injury.

McKinnon's previous Tweet, before the ponderings of The Rock, was a thank you to his girlfriend for his birthday present, a skydiving voucher.

Before that it was another re­tweet. On January 28, he wrote: "Repost; usually just scroll past these posts, but this is something that has to be heard. Sometimes we don't realise how good we've got it."

And while the repost was unexpected from a footballer, you might be now coming to expect it from Alex McKinnon.

X-Ray image of the C4 and C5 vertebrae in the spine. Source: FoxSports

It was a quote, and it said: "I will post and repost this till the cows come home. Kids with special needs are not weird or odd or sick. They only want what everyone else wants ... to be accepted!! Can I make a request? Is anyone willing to post this in honour of all children who were made in a unique way. Let's see who has a strong heart."

Let's see who has a strong heart.

Coaches are always looking for good players, it's the way it is. And it's no secret the good ones go looking for something beyond talent. Beyond size and speed and skill.

They go looking for heart.

That's why the dressing room was so quiet on Monday night.

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Every injury like McKinnon has suffered is a tragedy, but not everybody has the ability to reach in and touch the heart of teammates like Alex McKinnon.

It is uncommon, and went beyond the pain for a fallen mate. There are one or two in every club.

Before Christmas he retweeted a photo of twin babies in a hospital incubator in their first week of life.

"Each were in their respective incubators and one was not expected to live," the caption reads.

"A hospital nurse fought against the hospital rules and placed the babies in one incubator. When they were placed together, the healthier of the two threw her arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. The smaller baby's heart stabilized and temperature rose to normal."

It's there on his Twitter page, the modern fingerprint of a footballer we know so little about, the photo of the child in hospital with a protective arm around her. It is a metaphor for something this morning.


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McKinnon should focus on life: Ross

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BEN Ross is planning to contact hospitalised Newcastle Knights forward Alex McKinnon with a simple message: 'focus on life, not footy'.

If anyone can understand the depth of pain, confusion and uncertainty which has consumed McKinnon's past 48 hours, it's Ross.

The former Cronulla Sharks prop was sidelined from the NRL for two years after breaking his neck in the opening round of the 2009 season.

Doctors told Ross he may never walk again, let alone play football. But step-by-step, day-by-day, he regained his strength to produce one of sport's truly inspiring comebacks when he returned in the NRL for South Sydney.

Ben Ross is stretchered from field with a suspected neck injury. Source: News Limited

He retired last year having played 173 first-grade games.

Now working for the Men of League Foundation, Ross was re-acquainted with memories of his own recovery when learning yesterday of the spinal injuries suffered by McKinnon, which have placed the young Newcastle forward's career on hold.

"It's hard, he wouldn't know where his career is at right now,'' Ross said.

"He'd be wondering what they're going to do. How they're going to go about things. All these things rush through your head.

"Of course, you want to play footy again and he'd want to know the outcome, but they won't know until after the operation, which is the scary thing.

Ben Ross is tackled during a clash between the Rabbitohs and NSW Cup side Newtown, in a NRL trial. Source: News Limited

"You just have to have faith in the surgeons and the medical staff, which I'm sure he's in the best hands.''

Ross said thoughts of playing rugby league again, for the time being, should be the furthest thing from McKinnon's mind.

"I remember I said to the doctors before the operation, 'Will I ever be able to play again?' And he said; 'We'll see if you can walk first.'

"That was when I knew I had to get my priorities straight. Recovering was the first thing I had to do and so I focused on ticking that box.

Alex McKinnon falls awkwardly in clash against the Storm. Scans reveal he has fractured his vertebrae. Source: FoxSports

"I'd like to speak to Alex when the time is right, just to tell him he can pull through this.''

Knights officials and doctors have declared it is too premature to discuss what the future may hold for McKinnon.

McKinnon would be aware of Ross' story, so too Queensland's Gorden Tallis and Penrith prop Sam McKendry, who both managed to return to the playing field from neck injuries.

But at 22, McKinnon seemingly has his life in front of him, which as Ross suggested, is more important than football.


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Moyes insists best is yet to come

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DAVID Moyes has hit back at a suggestion from Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini that Manchester United's best days are a thing of the past ahead of Tuesday's derby.

United manager Moyes' men and Pellegrini's Premier League title-chasers meet later in the 167th Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Victory for City would see them move to within three points of leaders Chelsea, with a game in hand.

But faltering champions United, in their first season since Moyes replaced the retired Alex Ferguson, British football's most successful manager, are already 12 points adrift of City.

Not only do United have no realistic chance of retaining their title, their chances of finishing in the top four and so qualifying for next season's Champions League now appear remote, with their best chance winning this term's tournament — a tough job given their quarter-final opponents are defending European champions Bayern Munich.

Last month City boss Pellegrini, whose side have already won the League Cup this term, said: "If you consider this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it is ours.

"But you cannot forget what United has done in previous years."

The Chilean's words touched a nerve with Moyes, who on the eve of the derby, responded by saying: "Well Manchester United had lots and lots of seasons of domination.

"I don't think if I was a manager I would have turned round and necessarily said that we were the only club in Manchester because football does change, it goes in cycles," the Scot added.

City's manager Manuel Pellegrini says his team is the only club in Manchester this season. Source: AP

United's biggest problem in terms of league form has been the fact they've won just once — a 1-0 victory over Arsenal — against the top nine so far this season, with a recent 3-0 defeat by archrivals Liverpool still fresh in the memory.

"They have definitely hurt," Moyes said.

"They have hurt more because I joined Manchester United with big expectations myself — that I was coming to the winning football club."

The former Everton manager added: "I've got a winning mentality and that's what I wanted to do, so I'm disappointed with myself and I'm disappointed that we've been unable to do that.

"But it has not been for the want of trying, that's for sure.

"We want to try and perform better in the bigger games than what we have done."

Meanwhile Moyes said he'd disciplined Chris Smalling after the United defender was pictured out in Manchester in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Manchester Evening News published pictures of Smalling which it said showed the defender singing in the streets at 3.15am.

Smalling, 24, had stayed behind while the squad travelled to London for their Saturday match against West Ham because of a hamstring injury.

"I've dealt with it and I've spoken to Chris," Moyes said.

"That would be as much as I would want to say on it."


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‘Any slip could ruin Barca’s season’

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BARCELONA boss Gerardo Martino believes it is his side's own fault that they aren't in a more comfortable position in La Liga despite beating Real Madrid twice this season.

Lionel Messi inspired the Catalans to a famous 4-3 away at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night as he notched his second hat-trick in as many games.

Victory brought Martino's men back into the title race as they now trail leaders Atletico Madrid and Real by just one point with nine games remaining.

However, the Argentine warned that his side can suffer no slip-ups of the kind they have suffered at Real Sociedad and Valladolid in recent weeks if they are to retain their title, starting with Celta Vigo's visit to the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

"Last weekend has allowed us to get back in the league. Now we have to continue playing well against Celta and what remains of the league season. We cannot make a mistakes," he said on Tuesday.

"Our wish is to perform at a high level and to have similar individual performances to those we had on Sunday.

"The competitions are entering their final stage and if we don't maintain that level it will endanger our chances of winning any titles.

"Generally, we need to be consistent. That is why we are not in a different position today, above all in the league. If we had maintained consistency in our performances and results, we would be in a much better position."

Martino has left Xavi out of his 18-man squad for the game against Celta with the Catalan derby away to Espanyol and a return to Champions League action against Atletico Madrid next week in mind.

Pedro Rodriguez, Alexis Sanchez and Marc Bartra are also likely to feature after being left on the bench at the Bernabeu.


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Ronaldo dubbed ‘cry baby’

Written By Unknown on Senin, 24 Maret 2014 | 22.07

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CRISTIANO Ronaldo has sparked a storm of criticism for condemning the referee who awarded three penalties in Barcelona's dramatic win over Real Madrid.

Ronaldo said after the 4-3 Clasico defeat on Sunday night that referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco made "unbelievable" decisions and that unnamed forces wanted Barcelona in the title race.

Barcelona players said the comments by the world player of the year were unjustified. Sport newspaper called Ronaldo a "cry baby".

Lionel Messi scored three goals, two from penalties, in one of the most dramatic matches between the arch-rivals. The result took Barcelona just one point behind Real and Atletico Madrid at the top of the Spanish table.

Barcelona's Sergio Busquets (left) vies with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo during the Spanish league Clasico football match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Picture: Curto de la Torre Source: AFP

Mallenco gave Madrid defender Sergio Ramos the 19th red card of his career and Ronaldo, who scored from a controversial penalty himself, blasted the referee.

"The decisions that the referee took, for me it was unbelievable," the Portuguese striker said.

"It makes you think that maybe they don't want Madrid to win this league. Or they don't want to completely rule out Barca, because if Barca had lost today they would have been dead."

"There were a lot of mistakes for just one game. A match between Real and Barca ought to have a high level of referee," added Ronaldo.

"You can't make correct decisions when you are nervous. It makes me think that it is not just on the field that you win games, a little help from outside helps too.

"My penalty might have been just outside the area, but there are many things that went on. It is difficult when many people didn't want us to win today."

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (left) celebrates with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos after scoring during the Spanish league Clasico football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona. Picture: Pierre Source: AFP

Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez said Ronaldo had "spoken too soon" and that the referee had been "fair". Gerard Pique also called on Ronaldo to stop "complaining".

Marca newspaper commentator Roberto Palomar said Ronaldo "ended up spewing stupidities in the press room. He can be forgiven for being who he is."

"As usual when they lose, Real Madrid's worst image returned," said Barcelona newspaper Sport. Ronaldo's criticism "showed once again that, when things don't go the way he wants, the arrogant, ill-humoured Cristiano reappears."


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Marathon man Broxham’s timely break

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JUST about the only way you can get Leigh Broxham to take a break is a suspension.

The Melbourne Victory vice-captain will miss Saturday night's AAMI Park clash with Sydney FC after receiving his eighth yellow card of the season in the 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar at the weekend.

But no one could begrudge the 26-year-old a rest as he has been Victory's marathon man for the past month.

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Broxham played a staggering 687 minutes in the space of 29 days as Victory contested eight games between February 22 (against Adelaide) and March 22 (against Roar).

The only minutes for which he was sidelined came in last Tuesday's Asian Champions League win against Yokohama F. Marinos, when he was substituted in the 57th minute for Mark Milligan.

Milligan, Victory's captain, is another who has had a power of work of late.

Not only has he been involved in four A-League games and three Champions League games for a total of 573 minutes, he flew to London to play for the Socceroos in the March 6 friendly against Ecuador. He played 90 minutes that night, too.

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All the while Milligan has nursed a suspect knee, surgery on which sidelined him for the best part of a month this year.

In all, Victory has six players who have played more than 500 minutes in its past eight games: Broxham, Milligan, James Troisi, Lawrence ­Thomas, Archie Thompson and Jason Geria.

Only Broxham, Troisi and Kosta Barbarouses (463 minutes) featured in all eight games, which featured trips to China, Perth and Brisbane.

With no Champions League game this week, coach Kevin Muscat said his players would enjoy a few days to recover.

"It's been a hard slog," he said. "I think we've embraced playing in the Asian Champions League and our A-League form has been good. It'll be nice now to try and freshen the boys up."


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Steyn’s class too much for NZ

South Africa cricketer Dale Steyn celebrates the wicket of New Zealand batsman Nathan McCullum. Picture: Prakash Singh/AFP Source: PRAKASH SINGH / AFP

DALE Steyn produced a gem of a fast bowling performance to help South Africa secure a two-run win over New Zealand in the World Twenty20.

Steyn returned with figures of 4-17 as South Africa restricted New Zealand to 168-8 after they scored 170-6 on Monday.

Needing seven runs to win the last over, New Zealand could score only four runs against Steyn. Ross Taylor was the highest scorer with 62, while Kane Williamson made 51.

Imran Tahir finished 2-27 for South Africa.

Earlier, JP Duminy hit 86 not out for South Africa and Hashim Amal scored 41.

Corey Anderson and Tim Southee claimed two wickets apiece.


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Arteta: Arsenal ‘embarrassing’

Chelsea's Eden Hazard, left, vies for the ball with with Arsenal's Olivier Giroud, centre, and Mikel Arteta during the English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge stadium. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth Source: Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

ARSENAL midfielder Mikel Arteta issued a public apology on Monday for the Gunners' "unacceptable'' and "embarrassing'' 6-0 thrashing by Premier League leaders Chelsea last weekend.

Saturday's crushing London derby loss at Stamford Bridge was a humiliating way for Arsenal to mark Arsene Wenger's 1000th match as their manager and left them in fourth place, seven points adrift of Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand on the table-toppers.

Defeat at Stamford Bridge was Arsenal's third huge away loss to one of their title rivals this season after a 5-1 reverse at Liverpool and a 6-3 humbling at Manchester City.

Arsenal were overwhelmed by Chelsea's pace and power, falling 3-0 behind inside 17 minutes and playing most of the match a man down after Kieran Gibbs was mistakenly sent off in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar (left) scores his team's fifth goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Picture: Glyn Kirk Source: AFP

Arsenal and Spain midfielder Arteta said the Gunners were "just not good enough'' but promised an improved performance at home to top-flight strugglers Swansea on Tuesday.

"We paid for our own mistakes. We have to take it on the chin because it is unacceptable to lose another big game like this,'' Arteta told Arsenal Media.

"You cannot only just move on, you have to analyse what you have done and react. I am expecting a big reaction on Tuesday (because) Saturday was not good enough for this football club

"The good thing is we have a lot of things to play for and we have always reacted to disappointments and difficult moments, but this one is a really hard one to take, it was a massive game for us and for me it is unacceptable.

"The pressure we put on ourselves by losing games like that is massive and there is no need for it.

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dives in the goal mouth after deflecting a shot on goal from Chelsea's Oscar, left. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth Source: AP

"We just disrupted the good season we were having. I don't know what else to say apart from sorry to everyone at the club, the fans, and we promise that we will try hard to put that right.''

Arteta added: ``It hurts deeply inside. It is embarrassing to be on a football pitch in that situation.

"Psychologically it is really hard, and when you go through that you analyse it and you know you don't want to be in that situation again.

"I promise everyone that we have that hunger to put it right. On Tuesday, we have an opportunity again at home and we just need to bounce back.''


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